Editorial: Voter, this election is yours to tilt

Tuesday's your chance to help decide some very big questions on the North Coast and beyond.

According to a May 19 report by the California Secretary of State's office, 75,411 of Humboldt County's 104,663 eligible voters have registered to vote. Our county's registration rate — 72.05 percent — beats out 31 of California's 58 counties and is just barely a percentage point below the state's total rate. A comparison of the state's report to Humboldt County records available online shows that nearly 8,000 more voters have registered in time for the June 3 primary than had for the Nov. 5, 2013 district election.

Which is all well and good. But registration is only the first step. It's voting that counts, and not enough of us do it.

Here's a look at Humboldt County voter turnout in select recent elections:

• Nov. 5, 2013 uniform districts election: 21.17 percent

• Nov. 6, 2012 presidential general election: 72.49 percent

• June 5, 2012 presidential primary election: 42 percent

• Nov. 2, 2010 general election: 66.07 percent

• June 8, 2010 statewide primary election: 47.66 percent

If recent patterns hold, more than half of you who are registered to vote will leave your mail-in ballot unmailed and your polling place unvisited. This is a shame and a challenge for all of us who live in this democratic republic, but it's an opportunity for those of you on the fence.

In an election which half the voters are probably going to shrug away, it's not too late to tip things your way, undecided voter. You still have a chance. Some of these contests may be decided by a single vote — yours.

Closest to home is the decision we'll face as who will represent we, the people of Humboldt County, in court: Which of the four candidates for Humboldt County district attorney will triumph in a wide-open race without an incumbent? The decision rests with you, voter.

Also up for grabs are the 5th and 4th district seats on the Board of Supervisors, where both incumbents face spirited challengers.

Beyond Humboldt County, incumbent Rep. Jared Huffman faces challengers Andy Caffrey and Dale Mensing in the race to represent the 2nd Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.

At the state level, Derek Knell, Mike McGuire, Lawrence R. Wiesner and Harry V. Lehmann are running for state Senate District 2's empty seat, with John Lowry, Jim Wood, Matt Heath and Pamela Elizondo vying for its counterpart in state Assembly District 2.

California voters will face a host of candidates for the offices of governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, controller, treasurer, attorney general, insurance commissioner, the board of equalization, and superintendent of public instruction.